Hell Or High Water: A Manchester United Story

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Manchester United are in crisis. The club, once synonymous with dominance, is enduring the worst season in its Premier League history. Erik ten Hag, despite delivering two trophies, was shown the door. His replacement, Ruben Amorim, was expected to steady the ship—but instead, he’s only sunk it further. Morale is shattered, performances are uninspired, and the fans are losing faith.

The club's summer transfer window was supposed to signal a fresh start, but instead, it only added to the turmoil. Big-money signings like Matthias DeLigt, Manuel Ugarte, and Joshua Zirkzee have failed to make an impact this year. Previous big signings like Jadon Sancho and Donny Van De Beek have failed to impress and have been moved on. Academy products like Scott McTominay, Mason Greenwood and now even Marcus Rashford are gone for varying reasons. Results since Amorims hiring have been disastrous — United sit in the bottom half of the table, probably safe enough from relegation, but the dreams of a top four finish are over. The FA Cup and Europa League remains their last hopes of salvaging something from this disaster of a campaign.

The board has had enough. The legends have had enough. The soul of the club is slipping away. By Hell or High Water the club has got to stop the rot.

Difficulty - World Class
Board Expectations - Strict
Scouting - On
Training Plans - On
Half Length - 10 Minutes
Youth Tournament Match Length - 10 Minutes
Youth Player Quality - Current Overall
Training Plan Recovery Rates - Realistic
Training Plan Availability - Only Automated
Playing Training Drills - Off
Development Rate Seniors - Normal
Development Rate Youth - Normal
Transfer Negotiations - Realistic
Transfer Approaches - Strict
Search Players - On
Scouting Speed Star Players - Instant
Scouting Speed General Players - Fast
International Job Offers - Off

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Manchester United Club Honours

Manchester United Club Honours

League Titles (20)

• Premier League (20): 1907–08, 1910–11, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13

Domestic Cups (40)

• FA Cup (13): 1908–09, 1947–48, 1962–63, 1976–77, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1989–90, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04, 2015–16, 2023 - 24
• EFL Cup (6): 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2016–17, 2022-23
• Community Shield (21): 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965*, 1967*, 1977*, 1983, 1990*, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016 (* shared)

European Cups (5)

• UEFA Champions League (3): 1967–68, 1998–99, 2007–08
• UEFA Europa League (1): 2016–17
• UEFA Super Cup (1): 1991

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Fixtures and Results.

Fixtures and Results.

2024-25 Season.

Everton 2 - 4 Manchester United | Premier League
Manchester United 4 - 1 Ipswich Town| Premier League.
Manchester United 4-2 Birmingham City FA Cup 5th Rd.
Real Sociedad 1 - 5 Manchester United| Europa League.
Manchester United 3- 3 Arsenal | Premier League.
Manchester United 2 - 1 Real Sociedad | Europa League.
Leicester City 0 - 6 Manchester United | Premier League.

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News and Rumors.

News and Rumors.

2024-25 Season.

Manchester United hit with Ruben Amorim QUIT bombshell, as crisis deepens: report
Rúben Amorim Promotes Chido Obi, Harry Amass, and Sekou Kone to United First Team.
Sir Alex Ferguson Returns as Assistant Manager Until End of Season
Cristiano Ronaldo’s private jet mysteriously arrives in Manchester
Cristiano Ronaldo Signs Short-Term Deal with Manchester United
Manchester United Agree Deal for Festy Ebosele – Caoimhin Kelleher Next?

Premier League Standings.

Premier League February 27th 2025.
Premier League Table March 2025.

FA Cup.

FA Cup 5th Round Draw
FA Cup 5th Rd Results.

Caraboa Cup.


Europa League.
UEFA Europa League Quarter Final Draw.

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Transfer History

Transfer History

January 2024-25

Incoming

• Patrick Dorgu - Lecce - €30,000,000
• Ayden Heaven - Arsenal - €1,800,000
• Diego Leon - Cerro Porteño - €3,800,00 (Joining 1st July 2025)
• Cristiano Ronaldo - Unattached - €0
• Festy Ebosele - Istanbul Başakşehir - €6,800,00 (Joining 1st July 2025)

Outgoing

• Jadon Sancho - Chelsea - End of Season Loan
• Marcus Rashford - Aston Villa - End of Season Loan
• Tyrell Malacia - PSV - End of Season Loan
• Ethan Wheatley - Walsall - End of Season Loan
• Antony- Real Betis - End of Season Loan
• Daniel Gore - Rotherham - End of Season Loan
• Joe Hugill - Carlisle - End of Season Loan

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Manchester United hit with Ruben Amorim QUIT bombshell, as crisis deepens: report

Manchester United hit with Ruben Amorim QUIT bombshell, as crisis deepens: report

Monday 17th February 2025.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has only been in charge for 21 games – but an “early divorce” is on the cards already.

The former midfielder left a title-winning Sporting team in his native Lisbon in November to replace the outgoing Erik ten Hag, as minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's first appointment as manager at Old Trafford. Amorim's tenure in the Premier League has been a chaotic one to say the least, however, with issues on and off the pitch affecting his ability to implement a new 3-4-2-1 formation with this group of players.

After a series of high-profile talking points such as Dan Ashworth's exit from a sporting director role and Marcus Rashford's exile from the squad, Amorim's place in the dugout has been questioned by fans and pundits alike.

Despite beating Manchester City in his first month in charge and rekindling form in Rashford to get the England forward firing three goals in his first two games at the helm, Amorim's Manchester United have since dipped.

The Manchester derby win was swiftly followed by three consecutive losses in the Premier League without scoring, with another three following in the next six games. United currently sit 15th in the table and will be without Amad Diallo for the rest of the season – perhaps United's best player since the Portuguese took charge – with the wide man suffering an ankle injury.

Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has also weighed in on the situation on his blog, claiming that Amorim himself wants out from the club after making a big mistake and calling the 20-time English champions “a laughing stock”.

“I genuinely want to see United back at the top table of English football, but they’re light years from re-joining the best,” Keys wrote. "They’ve got a manager who clearly doesn’t want to be there – a cycling expert in charge of football matters and an owner flailing about without a clue what to do next – except sack more good people."

Manchester Evening News, however, understands these claims to be completely wide of the mark, with sources telling us that Amorim will categorically not be leaving the club.

Despite both the Mirror and Keys suggesting otherwise, the 40-year-old remains 100 per cent committed to the Red Devils despite the tumult so far. Amorim knew exactly what he was walking into when he took the job and furthermore, he is not currently at threat of being sacked by the hierarchy.

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Rúben Amorim Promotes Chido Obi, Harry Amass, and Sekou Kone to Manchester Uni

Rúben Amorim Promotes Chido Obi, Harry Amass, and Sekou Kone to Manchester United First Team

Manchester United’s troubled season has taken another turn, but this time with a focus on the future. Manager Rúben Amorim has promoted three of the club’s most promising academy talents—Chido Obi-Martin, Harry Amass, and Sekou Kone—to the first team as he looks to inject fresh energy into the squad.

With United struggling for form in the Premier League and facing mounting injury concerns, Amorim has turned to youth in search of solutions. The Portuguese coach, known for developing young talent during his time at Sporting Lisbon, has placed his faith in the club’s academy—one of the most prestigious in world football.

Who Are the New Faces in the First Team?

Chido Obi – The 17-year-old Danish-Nigerian striker has been a goal machine at youth level and is regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards. With United’s attack misfiring, Obi could be given an opportunity to prove himself on the senior stage.

Harry Amass – A highly-rated left-back, Amass arrived from Watford in 2023 and has impressed with his composure and technical ability. With defensive issues plaguing the first team, he may provide much-needed cover in the coming months.

Sekou Kone – The 18-year-old Ivorian midfielder is a dynamic presence in the center of the pitch. Comfortable in possession and tenacious without the ball, he could offer a new dimension to United’s struggling midfield.
United’s academy has a long history of producing world-class talent, from the Class of ’92 to more recent stars like Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo. Amorim’s decision to promote these youngsters is a signal that, despite the challenges facing the club, the future remains bright.

With United still competing in the FA Cup and Europa League, it remains to be seen whether these youngsters will get significant minutes, but fans will be excited to see fresh talent given a chance on the big stage.

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Everton 2 - 4 Manchester United | Premier League

Everton 2 - 4 Manchester United | Premier League highlights

Manchester United took part in a six goal thriller that resulted in victory over Everton at Goodison Park, with Joshua Zirkzee starring in an entertaining contest.

Manchester United grabbed a much needed win under Ruben Amorim with a convincing 4-2 victory over Everton at Goodison Park. Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu fired United into an early lead before a late flurry of goals saw the Red Devils seal all three points.

United started strongly, opening the scoring in the 15th minute through Zirkzee, who slotted home after a well-worked move. Just seven minutes later, Patrick Dorgu doubled the lead (22’), putting the visitors in control. Everton responded before halftime, with Iliman Ndiaye (34’) pulling one back to give the hosts hope.

Team Lineups

Everton 4-2-3-1: Pickford, O' Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, N'Diaye, Alcaraz, Harrison, Beto.

Subs: Young, Iroegbunam.

Manchester United 3-5-2: Bayindir, Mazraoui, DeLigt, Yoro, Garnacho, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu, Fernandes (C), Hojlund, Zirkzee.

Subs: Amass, Kone, Obi.

Player of the match: Joshua Zirkzee 2 Goals.

After the break, United restored their two-goal cushion as Zirkzee grabbed his second of the game in the 65th minute. Beto’s late strike (89’) briefly threatened a dramatic comeback, but United put the game to bed in stoppage time, as academy star Chido Obi (90’) netted his first senior goal.

Statistically, the match was evenly contested in possession (50-50), but United’s superior finishing made the difference. With Amorim finally changing away from 3-4-3 to a new 3-5-2 system United looked much better in attack. Coupled with their young talents stepping up, United’s season needs to turn around quickly and would't it be in true United style if youth helps salvage their season.

Match Facts
50% - Possession - 50%
12 - Shots - 8
2.5 - xG - 3.9
2 - Corners - 0
1 - Free Kicks - 1
0 - Penalties - 0
0 - Yellow Cards - 1
0 - Red Cards - 0

Match Events
15' :Goal: J. Zirkzee (MUN)
22' :Goal: P. Dorgu (MUN)
33' :Yellow Card: M. DeLigt (MUN)
34' :Goal: N'Diaye (EVE)
65' :Goal: J. Zirkzee (MUN)
89' :Goal: Beto (EVE)
90' :Goal: C. Obi (MUN)

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Manchester United 4 - 1 Ipswich Town| Premier League

Manchester United 4 - 1 Ipswich Town| Premier League highlights

Manchester United continued their resurgence under Ruben Amorim, securing back-to-back Premier League wins with a commanding 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford.

Amorims recently implemented 3-5-2 formation is beginning to take shape, with Rasmus Højlund once again leading the charge with a brace.

United looked comfortable from the start, with Højlund breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute, finishing off a well-worked move. Alejandro Garnacho doubled the lead just before halftime (42') after capitalizing on Ipswich’s defensive hesitation.

Ipswich briefly threatened a comeback when Liam Delap converted a penalty in the 56th minute after Leny Yoro’s foul inside the box. However, United maintained their composure, with Højlund restoring the two-goal cushion in the 75th minute before Bruno Fernandes added a fourth in the 88th minute to seal a dominant win.

Team Lineups

Manchester United 3-5-2: Bayindir, Mazraoui, DeLigt, Maguire, Garnacho, Ugarte, Casemiro, Amass, Fernandes (C), Hojlund, Zirkzee.

Subs: Yoro, Kone, Collyer, Obi, Dorgu.

Ipswich Town 4-2-3-1: Muric, Tuanzebe, O' Shead, Greaves, Davis, Morsy, Cajuste, Hutchinson, Enciso, Broadhead, Delap.

Subs: Taylor, Hirst, Clarke.

Player of the match: Alejandro Garnacho, 2 Assists, 1 Goal.

Tactical Improvements Showing Promise

Amorim’s tactical tweaks appear to be paying off, particularly in midfield, where Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte are forming a solid partnership. The duo provides a strong defensive shield while allowing Bruno Fernandes to thrive in a more advanced No. 10 role, dictating play and linking up effectively with the front two.

Up front, the strike partnership of Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee continues to develop positively, with both strikers working in tandem to stretch opposition defenses. Zirkzee’s hold-up play and movement have complemented Højlund’s direct running and finishing ability, giving United a new attacking edge.

With back-to-back league wins and a growing sense of cohesion, Amorim’s side looks to be building momentum at a crucial stage of the season.

Match Facts
54% - Possession - 46%
10 - Shots - 12
4.9 - xG - 3.2
1 - Corners - 4
2 - Free Kicks - 2
0 - Penalties - 1
1 - Yellow Cards - 0
0 - Red Cards - 0

Match Events
23' :Goal: R. Hojlund (MUN)
42' :Goal: A. Garnacho (MUN)
55' :Yellow Card: L. Yoro (MUN)
56' :Goal - Penalty: L. Delap (IPS)
75' :Goal: R. Hojlund (MUN)
88' :Goal: B. Fernandes (MUN)

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Sir Alex Ferguson Returns as Assistant Manager Until End of Season

Sir Alex Ferguson Returns as Assistant Manager Until End of Season.

In a sensational turn of events, Manchester United have confirmed that Sir Alex Ferguson has returned to the club as assistant manager until the end of the season. The decision follows consultation with Rúben Amorim, whose disastrous start had left United in turmoil.

Ferguson, 82, is widely regarded as the greatest manager in football history, having led United to 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, and countless domestic honors during his legendary 26-year reign. Now, over a decade after his retirement, he has answered the club’s call in their time of crisis.

Despite their struggles in the league, United remain in contention for silverware. They have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals and are also in the Europa League last 16, offering Ferguson an opportunity to help Amorim guide the club to a trophy in his short-term return.

With one of football’s greatest minds back in the dugout, United fans will be hoping for one final chapter of Ferguson magic at Old Trafford.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s private jet mysteriously arrives in Manchester

Cristiano Ronaldo sparked a wave of speculation online after his private jet mysteriously turned up at Manchester airport on Friday.

There could be little doubt who the Bombardier Global Express 6500 jet belonged to - given it features a 'CR7' logo and an image of Ronaldo's iconic celebration.

And news of its arrival came straight from the horse's mouth - with Manchester Airport posting a video of the Portugal superstar's aircraft on their runway.

However, they offered little by way of explanation, captioning the clip with two emojis - heart eyes and normal eyes.

It begs two questions: is Ronaldo in Manchester - and if so - what is he doing there?

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner left Manchester United after a second spell in January 2023, having fallen out with Erik ten Hag. Ronaldo joined Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr on an extraordinary £167.9million-a-year contract - and there is little suggestion the 40-year-old will move any time soon.

Given his recent history at Old Trafford, and the fact United are laying off hundreds of staff to avoid financial disaster, pigs will fly before Ronaldo joins the club for a third time.

That did not stop a number of Red Devils fans losing their minds on social media.

"He is coming for one last dance," one wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Others theorised that Ronaldo could be arriving to buy a stake in United - which seems equally unlikely.

However, the Portuguese superstar recently said he would be able to fix United if he was the owner.

"[The] Premier League it's the most difficult league in the world," he said at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards ceremony.

"All the teams are good, all the teams fight, all the teams run, all the teams are strong. Football is different right now. There's no easy games any more.

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Premier League February 27th 2025.

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FA Cup 5th Round Draw

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Manchester United 4-2 Birmingham City FA Cup 5th Rd

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport England at Old Trafford

Manchester United booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 4-2 victory over Championship side Birmingham City at Old Trafford.

A brace from youngster Chido Obi, along with goals from Patrick Dorgu and Joshua Zirkzee, sealed the win for Ruben Amorim’s side, despite a spirited performance from Birmingham and a brace from Jay Stansfield.

The visitors took a surprise lead in the 27th minute through Stansfield, but United hit back before half-time with two quick goals from Obi. Dorgu extended the lead in the second half, but Stansfield’s second strike kept the tie alive until Zirkzee put the result beyond doubt with a late finish.

Obi Takes His Chance

With Rasmus Højlund given a rest, young striker Chido Obi stepped up with a clinical performance. His first goal came in the 36th minute with a sharp finish inside the box, while his second just before half-time displayed excellent movement and composure.

Dorgu’s Influence Growing

Since Amorim switched to the 3-5-2 formation, Patrick Dorgu has excelled in the left wing-back role. The Danish youngster was rewarded with a goal in the 58th minute, capping off an energetic display filled with overlapping runs and defensive contributions.

A Midfield Change Taking Shape

Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte are forming a solid double pivot, offering both defensive protection and ball progression, but today Toby Colleyer stepped into Ugartes position and filled the role very well. Casemiro controlled the tempo, while Collyer’s aggressive pressing and tackles broke up Birmingham’s counter-attacks. Adding in a 20 minute cameo for Sekou Kone in place of Casemiro showed the future is bright for United in midfield.

Birmingham's Brave Effort

Despite being second best in possession (42%-58%), Birmingham gave United a scare with their attacking intent. Jay Stansfield’s brace showcased his finishing ability, and their xG of 4.6 indicated they had chances to make it an even tighter contest.

What’s Next for United?

United's second consecutive win in this 3-5-2 formation suggests Amorim has found a system that works. With Casemiro and Collyer controlling the midfield and Obi and Zirkzee linking up well, the Red Devils look well-positioned for a strong finish to the season.

Their next test comes in the Premier League as they face a tricky away fixture, where Amorim will hope to build on this momentum and keep United’s FA Cup dream alive.

Match Stats

**Possession:** �� 58% - 42% ��
**Shots:** �� 13 - 12 ��
**xG:** �� 6.3 - 4.6 ��
**Corners:** �� 1 - 2 ��
**Free Kicks:** �� 1 - 0 ��
**Penalties:** �� 0 - 1 ��
**Yellow Cards:** �� 0 - 0 ��
**Red Cards:** �� 0 - 0 ��

Match Events

�� 10' - �� Yellow Card: G. Hanley (BIR)
⚽ 27' - �� Goal: J. Stansfield (BIR)
⚽ 36' - �� Goal: C. Obi (MUN)
⚽ 43' - �� Goal: C. Obi (MUN)
⚽ 58' - �� Goal: P. Dorgu (MUN)
⚽ 65' - �� Goal: J. Stansfield (BIR)
⚽ 87' - �� Goal: J. Zirkzee (MUN)

## **Starting Lineups**

Manchester United (3-5-2):

Spoiler

GK: Altay Bayindir
CB: Ayden Heaven
CB: Harry Maguire
CB: Leny Yoro
LWB: Patrick Dorgu
RWB: Diogo Dalot
CDM: Casemiro
CDM: Toby Collyer
CAM: Bruno Fernandes (c)
ST: Joshua Zirkzee
ST: Chido Obi

Birmingham City (4-2-3-1):

Spoiler

GK: Bailey Peacock-Farrell
RB: Alfons Sampsted
CB: Grant Hanley
CB: Christoph Klarer
LB: Alex Cochrane
CDM: Krystian Bielik
CDM: Tomoki Iwata
RM: Scott Wright
LM: Emil Hansson
CAM: Willum Þór Willumsson
ST: Jay Stansfield

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FA Cup 5th Rd Results